If our staff competition was an AFL season
This competition played out like a full AFL season — ladder swings, late momentum, pressure moments, and a finish decided by the smallest of margins. Every team brought a different style of footy, but the sides that showed belief, discipline, and teamwork were the ones still standing at the end.
FOH and BOH pulled on the same jumper, played for each other, and brought The Grand to life along the way. Here’s how the season unfolded team by team.
🥇 YOUNG & JACKSON 🟡 – THE PREMIERS
Final Score: 1,164 pts
AFL identity: The late‑season surge team
Game style: Fast, fearless, high‑pressure football
Young & Jackson delivered the ultimate last‑to‑first premiership run.
Early rounds had them sitting near the bottom of the ladder, but instead of panicking, they trusted the game plan. Once confidence clicked, they lifted pressure, took risks, and backed themselves in every contest. By finals time, they weren’t just winning — they were peaking.
Top players:
- Mel – Engine‑room mid, keeps them moving quietly and efficiently
- Hannah – Relentless pressure, never lets off
- Nick – Ironman consistency, week in, week out
- Trent – X‑factor: energy, upselling, crowd connection
- Ellie – Big‑moment player under pressure
- Miller – Reliable role player
- Sean Kennedy – Utility who always delivered when called on
Belief, momentum, and fearless footy — premiers earned.
🥈 THE CORNER HOTEL 🔵 – THE MINOR PREMIERS
Final Score: 1,158 pts
AFL identity: Old‑school powerhouse
Game style: Structured, disciplined, ruthless with the basics
The Corner were the benchmark side for most of the season.
They led the competition for weeks through consistency and standards. With one of the smallest lists, they played heavy minutes, trusted their systems, and never dropped intensity. A classic professional outfit that didn’t chase noise — just execution.
Molly wore the captaincy hard all season — her shoulders must be sore — but the support around her never wavered.
Top players:
- Molly – Captain’s season: leadership, grit, carrying the side
- Matt – Versatile and dependable
- Emer – Structural backbone, systems locked in
- Tyler – Role clarity and reliability every service
Lost the grand final by six points — that’s elite footy margins.
🥉 THE ESPY 🔴 – THE CONTENDERS
Final Score: 1,084.5 pts
AFL identity: The pressure team that keeps coming
Game style: Methodical, improving, relentless
The Espy were the classic slow‑burn side.
They didn’t explode early, but every round they got better. Skills sharpened, roles became clearer, and confidence built steadily. By the pointy end of the season, they were a team no one wanted to face.
Top players:
- Millie – Consistent performer all season
- Sarjeena – Strong support through the spine
- Alison – Calm leader under pressure
- Richard – Organiser and tactician
- Sienna – Organisation weapon
- Aki – High work‑rate role player
Built a finals‑ready list and closed hard.
🟢 THE TOTE – THE WILDCARD
Final Score: 950.5 pts
AFL identity: Chaos side, lethal on the big stage
Game style: High impact, confidence‑driven
The Tote were at their most dangerous when the lights were on.
They thrived in challenge situations, delivered back‑to‑back wins, and showed they could dominate under pressure. Their early momentum was driven by strong leadership, particularly in structured challenges, and they were never short on confidence or energy.
As the season wore on, consistency across the full program is where points slipped — not for lack of effort, but follow‑through.
Top players:
- Dylan – Captain who stood up in key challenges and set the tone early
- Jackson – Tempo‑setter, always around the contest
- Kane – Hard‑nosed worker doing the unglamorous jobs
- Lil C – Energy spark that lifts the group
- Will – Clutch contributor when it mattered
When they were firing, they were hard to stop.
🏆 THE CLUB – ONE JUMPER
With margins this tight, the season came down to the one‑percenters — training someone new, documenting a task, supporting a teammate, or backing an idea. FOH and BOH playing as one club made the difference.
We also landed on our winning GRAND mantra, built from ideas across three of the teams:
“The GRAND – Good times start with great people. Proudly local. Warmly welcoming. Where legends begin.”
That’s not just a slogan — the season proved it.
Full‑time siren. Season done. Premiers crowned.
Everyone played their role.
